Tape drive apparatus, method and computer program product

(19)

(11)

EP 1 596 312 A3

(12)	EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(88)	Date of publication A3:
	25.01.2006 Bulletin 2006/04

(43)	Date of publication A2:
	16.11.2005 Bulletin 2005/46

(21)	Application number: 05102925.4

(22)	Date of filing: 13.04.2005

(51)

International Patent Classification (IPC):

G06F 17/30^(2006.01)
G06F 11/14^(2006.01)

G11B 5/008^(2006.01)

(84)	Designated Contracting States:
	AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU MC NL PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
	Designated Extension States:
	AL BA HR LV MK YU

(30)

Priority:

28.04.2004 US 833272

(71)	Applicant: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
	Houston, TX 77070 (US)

(72)	Inventors:
	Topham, Andrew BS34 8QZ Bristol, Avon (GB) Slater, Alastair Michael SN16 9LL Malmesbury, Wiltshire (GB) Christie Jr., Leslie G., Hewlett-Packard Company 83713 Boise, Idaho (US)

(74)	Representative: Marsh, David John
	Hewlett-Packard Limited Intellectual Property and General Legal Section Building 3, Filton Road Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8QZ Stoke Gifford, Bristol BS34 8QZ (GB)

(54)	Tape drive apparatus, method and computer program product

(57) A validity time interval for backup data of a data backup operation is determined. The validity time interval is limited, e.g., by an expiration date and / or an activation date. Validity date indicating the validity time interval is stored in non-volatile memory of the tape cartridge, such as a cartridge memory, when the backup data is written to the tape cartridge by the tape drive. Recovery of the backup data from the tape drive is only possible if recovery is performed within the validity time interval, to provide an efficient way to assure tape rotation.

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